Shownotes Transcript
You won’t believe the digital dumpster fires I’ve been sifting through this week. From AI-powered scams to some high-profile scammer takedowns, it’s been a wild ride. Let’s dive in before you—or your grandma—end up on the wrong end of a phishing hook. First up, let’s talk about the biggest bust of the week. Alexander Vinnik—yeah, that guy—was finally convicted for his role in the BTC-e money laundering scheme. This dude was running an exchange that basically acted as a laundromat for hackers, ransomware payments, and straight-up fraudsters. The feds nailed him with hefty prison time, sending a clear message: if you’re helping move cybercrooks’ dirty money, they’re coming for you. Speaking of digital crime kingpins, guess who else got caught? A group of Nigerian scammers running a massive LinkedIn job scam was finally taken down. These guys impersonated recruiters from big-name companies—think Google, Amazon, and even Tesla—offering fake remote jobs. The catch? Victims had to pay a bogus “onboarding fee” or buy overpriced software to start working. Lesson here? If a recruiter asks you to pay upfront for anything, delete that email, block the number, and move on. Now let’s talk about AI—it’s not just creating deepfake celebrity memes anymore. Scammers have gotten terrifyingly good at using AI-generated voices. Just last week, a woman in Texas got a call from what sounded exactly like her son, crying and begging for ransom money. Except… it wasn’t her son. It was an AI-generated deepfake programmed to manipulate her. If you ever get a call like this, always hang up and call the supposed loved one yourself before reacting. Then there’s the return of the “IRS Tax Scam” just in time for tax season. A bunch of fraudsters are spoofing IRS numbers and sending out emails claiming you owe back taxes—or that you’re owed a refund. Either way, they want your personal info. Remember: the IRS never initiates contact with taxpayers via email, text, or unsolicited phone calls. If they say you owe money, check your official tax account yourself at IRS.gov. Finally, let’s talk about that sneaky QR code scam hitting ATMs and parking meters. In cities like Los Angeles and New York, scammers are slapping fake QR codes over real ones, tricking people into paying through a fraudulent website. Before you scan anything, make sure the QR code looks permanent and isn’t just a sticker slapped on top of another. And never enter personal or payment details from a random link—even if it looks legit. Bottom line? Scammers are evolving their playbook daily, but staying ahead is all about skepticism and verification. If something feels even remotely off, take a pause, double-check, and when in doubt—delete, hang up, or walk away. Stay sharp out there!